Pang De lifts a coffin to fight to the death, Guan Yu unleashes the waters and drowns seven armies.

Cao Cao was preparing to send Yu Jin to Fancheng to relieve its danger. He asked among his generals who would dare to lead the vanguard. One man called out that he would go. When Cao Cao looked at him, it was Pang De. Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, “That Guan fellow has his reputation shaking all under heaven, but he has not yet met his match; this time he meets a proper rival.” Cao Cao appointed Yu Jin as General Who Conquers the South and made Pang De the western vanguard leader of seven divisions, and ordered them to advance on Fancheng. All seven divisions were troops of hard, northern-blooded men. The two officers in charge of the vanguard were named Dong Heng and Dong Chao. That day they were all called before Yu Jin to pay their respects. Dong Heng spoke, “My general takes seven solid masses of heavy troops to break through the peril at Fancheng and expects certain victory; yet making Pang De the vanguard seems an unwise choice.” Alarmed, Yu Jin asked why. Dong Heng replied, “Pang De was once a deputy under Ma Chao and had no choice but to submit to Wei. His former lord is in Shu and holds office as one of the Five Tiger Senior Generals. His elder brother Pang Rou is also an officer in Western Sichuan. If this man leads the vanguard, it is like pouring oil on a fire. Why not report this to the King of Wei and send another in his place?”

When Yu Jin heard this, he went straight to Cao Cao by night and reported it. Cao Cao understood at once, summoned Pang De to the steps, and ordered him to accept the vanguard token. Pang De was greatly startled and asked, “I wanted to exert myself for the Great King; why does he not make use of me?” Cao Cao replied, “I have no suspicion at all. But Ma Chao is now in the Western Lands, and your brother Pang Rou is in the Western Lands, both serving Liu Bei. Even if I trust you, what of the many voices outside?”

Hearing this, Pang De removed his cap, knelt, and knelt with blood at his lip, saying, “Since I came to surrender in Hanzhong, I have always remembered the Great King’s immense kindness; even if I spilled my liver and brains upon the earth, I still could not repay it. Why does the Great King doubt me? When I was still at my home, I lived with my brother; my sister-in-law was not easy at all, and in drunkenness I slew her. My brother’s hatred of me entered his very marrow; he swore never to meet me again; our bonds were already severed. My former lord Ma Chao had courage but no strategy; in defeat he lost his lands and went alone into Sichuan. Now each of us serves our own lord, and old loyalty is gone. I, who owe the Great King favor and grace, dare not allow any contrary thought to rise within me. Only may the Great King judge me.”

Cao Cao helped him up and reassured him. “I have always known your loyalty. I spoke earlier only to calm the hearts of others. You can strive to earn merit. You will not fail me, and I will not fail you.”

Pang De bowed in thanks and returned home. He ordered carpenters to make a wooden coffin. The next day he invited his close friends to a formal meal and set the coffin in the hall. All his kin and friends were shocked when they saw it and asked, “General, you are leading the army—why bring this ominous thing?” Taking a cup, Pang De told them, “I received the Great King’s deep mercy and swore to repay it with my life. Tomorrow I go to Fancheng to settle accounts with that Guan one-on-one. If I cannot kill him, he will kill me. If he does not kill me, then I shall kill myself. Therefore I prepare this coffin now so there is no shame of coming home empty-handed.”

All sighed. Pang De called his wife, Lady Li, and his son Pang Hui to come out. To his wife he said, “As vanguard, I should return death on the field. If I die, you must raise our son carefully. Our son has uncommon signs in him; when he grows, he will one day avenge me.” The wife and son wept terribly at parting. Pang De had them help carry the coffin.

He then told his officers, “I am going to give my life in battle against that Guan fellow. If I am killed by him, take my body at once and place it in this coffin. If I kill him, put his head here too and send it back to the King of Wei.” The five hundred officers and soldiers all said, “A general so loyal and brave as you—who among us would not spare no effort to assist?” They moved out with the army.

Someone reported these words to Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, “Pang De is so loyal and brave; why should I worry?” Jia Xu warned, “Pang De trusts to blood and courage and seeks a decisive struggle with that Guan fellow. I privately fear it.” Cao Cao accepted his point and ordered that this message be conveyed to Pang De: “That Guan is strong in wit as well as courage. Do not lightly challenge him. If he is attainable, take him; if not, you must hold fast.”

Upon hearing the command, Pang De told his officers, “What does the Great King value that man so highly for? I think on this mission I will crush him and shatter the thirty-year fame of his name.” Yu Jin said, “What the Wei king has said must be followed.” With an outburst of force, Pang De drove his troops forward to Fancheng and advanced with blare and drum.

Now Guan Gong sat in camp when a courier on horseback burst in with news: “Cao Cao has sent Yu Jin out and the seven iron-strong divisions have arrived. The vanguard, Pang De, carries a wooden coffin before his army and speaks with immodest words, vowing to decide this by a death match. He is still only thirty li from the city.” Hearing this, Guan Yu, whose courtesy name was Yunchang, went red, his fine beard tossing violently. In fury he cried, “Among all under Heaven, whoever hears my name bows in fear. How can this vulgar fool Pang De dare to ignore me? Guan Ping, you strike Fancheng from one side; I will go myself and behead this common brute to settle my grievance.”

Guan Ping said, “Father should not match himself against a stubborn rock with the weight of Mount Tai. Let me, your unworthy son, take your place and fight Pang De.” Guan Yu answered, “Go test him once; I will come immediately behind to assist.”

Guan Ping mounted, took up his blade, and led a force to meet Pang De. The two ranks faced each other. On the Wei side a black banner displayed four white words: “Nan’an Pang De.” Pang De, in a blue robe with silver armor and white horse, stood in front of his line. Behind him five hundred soldiers followed closely, and several footmen bore the coffin on their shoulders. Guan Ping shouted at him, “Traitor who betrayed your lord!”

Pang De asked his men, “Who is that?” One answered, “It is Guan Ping, the righteous son of Guan Gong.” De said, “I come by order of the King of Wei to fetch your father’s head. You are a miserable, pockmarked child; I will not kill you. Call your father at once!”

Guan Ping erupted with fury, spurred his horse, and drew his knife in a leap to take Pang De. Pang De crossed blades with him. They fought thirty passes and neither gained clear advantage, and both lines withdrew.

Some soon reported this to Guan Gong. He was furious and sent Liao Hua to attack Fancheng, while he himself rode out to face the vanguard. Guan Ping reported that he and Pang De had fought without either side winning. Guan Yu immediately rode out with his saber drawn and shouted, “Guan Yu is here. Why does Pang De not come sooner to die?” As drumbeats thundered, Pang De rode out and said, “By the King of Wei’s command I came especially to take your head. If you do not believe me, I have prepared this coffin. If you fear death, dismount now and surrender!” Guan Gong shouted back, “What can you fool do? You cannot stand before me! Shame to let this green-dragon blade of mine cut down a vermin-thief like you!” He spurred forward, saber in hand, to take Pang De. Pang De angled his blade to meet him. The two generals fought more than a hundred rounds; their spirits only seemed to swell. Those who watched on both sides gaped in stupefaction.

Wei troops, fearing Pang De might lose the edge, ordered the signal for recall. Guan Ping, fearing his father’s age, also ordered recall. The two withdrew. When Pang De returned to camp, he said to his men, “People have spoken of Guan Gong as a hero. Now only today do I truly believe it.” As he spoke, Yu Jin arrived.

After saluting, Yu Jin said, “I hear you fought Guan Gong and after hundred rounds no room for advantage has been won. Why not withdraw for now?” Pang De snapped, “The King of Wei has appointed me as a great general. Why should I be so weak? Tomorrow I will settle death with him; I swear I will not retreat.” Yu Jin did not dare to stop him and left.

Guan Yu rode back to camp and said to Guan Ping, “Pang De’s blade work is accustomed and measured. He is a true opponent for me.” Guan Ping replied, “It is said, ‘A calf newborn does not fear the tiger.’ Even if father severs this man’s head, he is only a petty trooper from Xiqiang. If even then there is carelessness, it would not honor Brother-in-law’s trust.” Guan Yu said, “If I do not kill him now, how can my grievance be cleared? My decision is made. Speak no more.”

The next day he mounted and led troops forward. Pang De also brought his men to meet him. The two armies lined opposite and both leaders rode out together without much exchange, meeting in direct charge. After more than fifty exchanges, Pang De turned his horse and made a sword-dragging retreat. Guan Yu drove after him in pursuit. Guan Ping, fearing some gap in the moment, followed right behind.

From horseback Guan Yu shouted, “Rogue, you are using that blade-drag trick. Am I frightened by you?” Unknown to them, Pang De had only feigned a dragging-sword retreat, then hooked his blade in the saddle rigging, secretly drew a bow, set an arrow, and loosed it.

Guan Ping’s eyes were quick. Seeing Pang De pulling the bow, he cried out, “Bandit general, do not release a cold arrow!” Guan Yu only then opened his eyes wide; the bowstring sounded and the arrow was already in flight. He had nowhere to dodge, and it struck his left arm squarely. Guan Ping rode up and carried his father back to camp.

Pang De wheeled his horse and came on, blade turning, then suddenly heard the great drums pounding from his own camp. Fearing disorder in the rear, he checked his horse and turned back. In truth, when Yu Jin saw Pang De had wounded Guan Yu, he feared this could bring too much merit to him and ruin Yu Jin’s standing with the ranks, so he signaled a recall. Pang De returned and asked why the recall had sounded.

Yu Jin said, “The King of Wei warned: Guan is perfect in both wit and courage. Although he is struck by an arrow, he may only be feigning; that is why the drums were sounded.” Pang De replied, “If I had not recalled, I would already have beheaded this man.” Yu Jin said, “There is no good in hurrying to a reckless pace. We must seek a more deliberate plan.” Pang De did not understand Yu Jin’s intent and regretted it bitterly.

Guan Yu returned to his camp and pulled out the arrowhead. It had not gone in deep, and he dressed the wound with gold medicine. Guan Yu blamed Pang De and told his officers, “I swear to repay this single arrow’s injury.” His officers answered, “General, rest for a few days, then fight is still not too late.” The next day a man reported that Pang De was pressing the battle. Guan Yu prepared to go out and fight. His officers restrained him. Pang De ordered a small detachment to hurl insults. Guan Ping blocked the pass and told his officers not to report to Guan Yu.

For more than ten days Pang De exchanged blows and no one dared to come out. He then discussed with Yu Jin and said, “I have seen Guan’s head wound from the arrow now break open and he can barely move. Why not use this chance, unite seven divisions, and surge in one wave into camp—thus breaking the siege of Fancheng?” Yu Jin, fearing that Pang De might truly succeed, only pushed back the King of Wei’s warning and refused to move troops.

Pang De repeatedly tried to move, and Yu Jin would not allow him. So they shifted the seven divisions around a mountain pass and camped ten li north of Fancheng, under a mountain. Yu Jin then took command of the main road and ordered Pang De to quarter his troops behind the valley, preventing him from making a successful advance.

When Guan Ping saw Guan Yu’s arrow wound had closed, he rejoiced greatly. He then heard that Yu Jin had moved the seven divisions to camp north of Fancheng ten li away and did not yet know its purpose. He reported this to Guan Yu. Guan Yu mounted and from a high mound with a few riders looked over. He saw the city flags at Fancheng in disorder and the soldiers inside in confusion; he saw horse and troops camped in the valley ten li north of the city, and the current of Xiangjiang running fiercely.

After looking for a while, he asked the local guide, “What is the name of that valley ten li north of Fancheng?” The guide replied, “It is Zengkou Creek.” Guan Yu cried out in joy, “Yu Jin is doomed and will be captured.” An officer asked, “How do you know?”

Guan Yu said, “Once fish enter a net-mouthed river trap, can they ever linger long?” The other generals did not believe him. Guan Yu returned to his own camp.

It was the autumn of the eighth lunar month; rain had come for several days. Guan Yu ordered boats and rafts prepared and all water gear readied.

Guan Ping asked, “Why need water gear while we are holding by land?”

Guan Yu said, “You do not understand. Yu Jin has not camped his seven divisions on open high ground but gathered them at the tight defile of Zengkou Creek. Now this autumn rains have been continuous and the Xiang River will surely rise. I have already sent men to dam each water intake. When the waters come up, I will go high with boats and release the flow. The soldiers of Fancheng and Zengkou Creek will be like fish and turtles in a single instant.”

Guan Ping saluted and acknowledged.

In the Wei camp at Zengkou Creek the rains did not cease for days. Cheng He, a supervising officer, reported to Yu Jin, “The main army camps at the river mouth where the land is low. Though there is a dirt embankment, it is far from camp. These autumn rains make life hard for the soldiers. This is what I heard: soldiers of Jing Province have moved to high mounds and prepared fighting rafts at the mouth of the Han River. If the Yangtze water rises, our army will be in peril. We should make a plan at once.”

Yu Jin shouted, “Are you a rogue trying to confuse my army’s heart? Speak again and you will be executed!” Cheng He, ashamed and humbled, withdrew, then came to Pang De and spoke of the report. Pang De said, “You have seen rightly. Yu Jin refuses to move the troops; tomorrow I will shift the camp elsewhere.” As the plan settled, a storm and wind broke out that night.

Pang De sat in his tent when he heard horses running in all directions and war drums rumbling like earth itself. He bolted out, mounted, and looked. Water surged in from every side; seven divisions fled in wild panic, and in some places whole waves carried men away. Flooded level ground was deep as seven feet or more. Yu Jin, Pang De, and the other generals all climbed low hills to escape the water.

By dawn, Guan Yu and his officers raised banners and drums and arrived on large ships. Yu Jin saw that there was no route to escape, with only five or six dozen men left beside him. He judged they could not flee and spoke of surrender. Guan Yu ordered everyone to strip off armor and clothing, then took them aboard and then came to seize Pang De.

At that time Pang De, together with the two Dongs and Cheng He and five hundred foot soldiers, all without armor, stood on the levee. When Guan Yu came, Pang De showed no fear and advanced proudly to meet battle. Guan Yu sealed the four sides of ships around them. Soldiers on all sides loosed arrows, killing more than half the Wei soldiers.

Dong Heng and Dong Chao saw the crisis and said to Pang De, “Most soldiers are badly wounded and broken, and there is no path out. Better to surrender.” Pang De was enraged: “I have received great favor from the Great King. Would I ever stoop in yielding submission?” He immediately executed Dong Heng and Dong Chao before the troops and shouted, “If anyone speaks of surrender again, let this be the example of these two!” Then all fought on with renewed force.

From dawn to noon, courage doubled. Guan Yu pressed attacks from all sides, while arrows and stones fell like rain. Pang De ordered his soldiers to use close weapons and meet him hand to hand. He turned to Cheng He, saying, “I have heard it said: ‘A brave commander does not fear death for safety. A stout warrior does not break his honor to save his life. This is the day I die.’ You should fight with all your strength.” Cheng He obeyed and moved forward. Guan Yu shot him with one arrow and he fell into the water.

All the Wei troops surrendered; only Pang De alone still resisted fiercely. Just then several men from Jing Province drove a small boat close to the levee. Pang De swung his saber, leaped and stood aboard, killing more than ten at once. The rest tossed their boat and leapt into the water to escape. Holding a saber in one hand and a short paddle in the other, Pang De tried to row toward Fancheng.

From upstream came another of their commanders on a broad raft. He crashed the small boat, and Pang De tumbled into the water. The commander jumped after him, and with skill in water and strength of arm from years spent in Jing Province, he captured Pang De and hauled him aboard.

All present saw that the man who seized Pang De was Zhou Cang. Yu Jin and the seven divisions he had commanded drowned in the water. Those swept by water with no route of escape all surrendered as well.

Later poets wrote:

At midnight, war drums thunder through heaven, and in Xiang and Fancheng the flat land becomes a deep abyss. Who can keep pace with Guan Gong’s stratagem? His fame across Hua Xia will be sung forever.

Guan Yu returned to the high mound, mounted, and sat in his tent. An executioner unit brought Yu Jin in chains. Yu Jin prostrated himself on the ground and begged for mercy.

Guan Yu said, “How dare you oppose me?”

Yu Jin answered, “The command came from the Son of Heaven; I had no choice. I beg Your Lordship for pity and swear to repay in death.”

Guan Yu laughed with a broad beard and said, “If I kill you, it is like killing a dog or a boar—only to soil my saber and axe in vain.” He ordered him bound and sent to the Jingshou jail to be held: “When I return, I will decide differently.” Then they sent Pang De in also.

Pang De, brows knitted and eyes fierce, stood upright and refused to kneel. Guan Yu said, “Your brother is now in Hanzhong. Your former lord Ma Chao is also a major general in Shu. Why did you not submit earlier?” Pang De, in rage, said, “I would sooner die beneath your blade than yield to you!” He did not stop cursing.

Guan Yu was furious and ordered the executioners to bring him forward and behead him at once. Pang De offered his neck to the punishment. Yet Guan Yu, with pity, gave him burial.

Because the waters had not yet ebbed, he then boarded warships again, bringing larger and smaller officers with him to attack Fancheng.

Meanwhile around Fancheng the waves were roiling, and the current only grew. The city walls grew wet and crumbled. Men and women carried earth and bricks to stuff and repair the breaches but could not stem it. Cao Ren’s assembled officers all lost heart and rushed to report.

Cao Ren said, “Today’s danger cannot be met by strength. We can still seize boats and flee by night before the enemy arrives. Even losing the city, we might yet preserve our lives.” As they were arranging this, Man Chong interjected, “Do not. The flood has surged with violence and cannot last forever; it will retreat in less than ten days. Though Guan has not yet attacked, he has sent separate generals down below Jiaxia. Why he does not rush forward is that he fears our striking at his rear. If we abandon this city now, all south of the Yellow River will no longer belong to Wei.”

Cao Ren folded his hands and thanked him. “Without your counsel, we might nearly have ruined the state’s affair.” He then mounted a white horse and went to the walls, gathering the officers to swear: “I received orders from the King of Wei to guard this city. Any man who speaks of abandonment will be beheaded.” All the officers said, “We are willing to hold and defend to death!” Cao Ren was overjoyed and set hundreds of crossbowmen atop the walls. Troops stood watch day and night and dared not slacken. Old and young civilians carried soil and stone to reinforce the walls.

In ten days the waters slowly retreated.

After Guan Yu had captured Yu Jin and others, Guan Yu’s prestige shook heaven and earth; no one was unmoved. At that time his second son Guan Xing came into camp to visit. Guan Yu ordered him to carry various petitions for promotion to Chengdu, before King Liu, and seek advancement for each officer. Guan Xing bade farewell to his father and headed straight to Chengdu.

Guan Yu then split the army in half and sent it directly to Jiaxia. He himself led the rest and attacked Fancheng from all four sides. That day he rode to the north gate, raised his whip in the air, and shouted, “You rat-like rabble, why do you still not submit? How much longer will you delay?”

As he spoke, Cao Ren happened to be on the enemy tower and saw Guan Yu with only a heart-covering shirt and vest draped over him, exposing a green cloak. He immediately called for five hundred archers, and they loosed arrows together. Guan Yu pulled his horse back sharply, and an arbalest bolt struck his right arm as he dismounted.

At that moment:

Water still held the seven divisions in fear, and one arrow within the city suddenly wounded him. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.